Electric apparatus.



R. P. JACKSON & H. SGHEIBE.

ELECTRIC APPARATUS. APPLICATION Pump 11. 21. 1909.

\wmwnwnni mii 1' Patented May 31 1910.

R. P. JACKSON & HIM. GHEIBE.

ELECTRIC APPARATUS. APPLICATION TILED JAN. 21. 1909.

Patented May 31, 1910.

2 SHEETS-SHBET 2.

INV NTORS I novel relay switch is also so arranged as not vapor rectifying device is employed for when the bulb goes out a second time it will 'porarilyinterrupted, from any cause. In

may beutilized in lieu of RAY r. .iAcxsoN Aim) HAROLD M. SGHEIBE, or

WILKINSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA,

ASSIGNORS TO' WESTINGHOUSE 'EIGECTRIC & MANUFACTURING COMPANY, A COB POBATION OF IPENNSYLVANIA.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, RAY I. JACKSON and HAROLD M. S HEIBE, citizens of the United States, and residents of \Vilkinsburg, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Im-. provement in Electric Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

Our invention relatesto systems of elect trio cu-rrent regulation and distribution, and it hasspecial reference to such systems as embody vapor rectifiers.

One of the objects of our invention is to provide simple and efl'ective means for automatically' governing the starting andoperation of vapor rectifiers.

Another object is to adaptand control the operation of rectifiers of this type for charging secondary electric batteries or accumulgtors, It .is a Well known fact that mercuryvapor rectifying devices cease to operate if their alternating current su ply circuits'are broken or ifthe supply energy is temorder to avoid this great disadvantage and to-render the apparatus reliable for charging storage'batteries, we provide a relay switch having special operating characteristics for automatically. starting the rectifying process upon the renewed application of alternating current energy to the supply circuit. Our

to restart the rectifying process a second time when it has stopped and is restarted under predetermined conditions in the direct current circuit which is supplied from the rectifier. For example, if a mercurychargmg a storage battery, our relay' switch an attendant forautomatic'ally restarting the rectifying procdiscontinuance and,

when the battery ,is chargedto a predetermined 'degree. This is based on theproperty offthe rectifier whereby it is able 'to,o p--' erate for'ashort time at a current" value at which continuous operation impossible. This small current latches open the actu-' ating. circuit of the starting'device so that not be restarted.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed January 21, 1909.

any suit able source,

Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings is nLEcrRro APPARATUS.

Patented May 31, 1910. Serial No. 473,541.

a diagrammatic View of a battery-charging system embodying our invention and-Figs. 2 and 3 are, respectively, a plan view and a front elevation of a relay switch constructed in accordance with our invention.

Referring to Fig. 1 of the drawings, alternating current energy may be supplied from such as the generator 1, through a reactance 2, an auto transformer and circuit conductors 4 and 5 to terminals 6 and? of the rectifying device 8. Regulating dials 9 and 10 are adapted to so vary the circuit connections of the auto transformer as to adjust the alternating current voltage impressed upon the rectifier. A relay switch 11 is introduced in a circuit conductor 7'7 which supplies energy for starting the rectifier and its coil 12 is connected in series with the direct current circuit of the rectifier, which may be connected to the terminals of the storage battery 13 or to some other suitable load, one terminal of the circuit being connected to the middle point in the auto transformer 3 and the other being connected to the direct current terminal 14 of the rectifier. The rectifier comprises a substantially cruciform bulb 15, a supporting frame pivotally mounted on a shaft 17, a starting or tilting magnet 18 having stationary and movable core members 19 and 20 and coils 21, 22 and 23. The frame 16 is'provided with a crank projection 24 which is resiliently joined to the movable core member 19 by a rod 25 and springs'25", the arrangementof parts being such that when the magnet 18 is energized the rectifier will be so tilted in opposition to a counter-weight 26 that the mercury within the rectifier bulb will form a circuit connectionbetween the direct current terminal of the rectifier and manner.

; Referring to Figs. 2 and 3 oft-he drawing,

the relay switch, which is here illustrated,

comprises a substantially rectangular mag-' netizable frame 27 having lugs" 28 and 29 projecting laterally from its'ends', cars 30 at'its upper end and a lug 31 and brackets 32 and 33 at one :side, stationary magnet coil' 12, stationary and movable core members 35and 36, a lever 37 fulcrumed on a shaft 38 that is supported by the ears 30, a latch member-39 pivotally supported by a pin 40 16 therefor which is I, the starting terminal 27, in a well known jection with'which the lug 31 is provided, a weightbearing rod 41 pivotally suspended from the outer end of the lever 37, stationary contact terminals 42 and 43 and a movable bridging contact member 44 that is operatively connected to the core member 36. The frame 27 is fastened to a plate or a slab 45 by bolts 46 which extend throu h the slab and are screw-threaded into the dugs 28 and 29. The stationary contact terminals 42 and 43 are provided with shank projections 47 which extend through the slab 45 and are screwthreaded to receive nuts 48. The inner end of the lever 37 is bifurcated and is adapted to engage a shoulder, formed b an insulating sleeve 49 by which the bri ging contact member 44 is secured to and electrically separated from the stem 50 of the movable core member 36, the arrangement of parts being such that the attraction of gravity on weights 51 and 52, which are mounted on the rod 41, will close the relay switch when its magnet coil is denergized. The bracket 33 is provided with a hole 53 through which the rod 41 extends, the weight 51 being loosely mounted on the rod above the bracket 33 and the weight 52 being secured to the lower end of the rod below the bracket. The latch member 39 is provided with two arms 54 and 55 disposed in a plane which is parallel to the rod '41, and with a lateral pro- 56 having a sharp edge which is adapted to engage a notch 57 in the rod 41, and also with a projection 58 which is offset and may be engaged by a pin 59 that projects laterally from an actuating rod 60. The rod 60, which extends through a hole in the bracket 32 and is provided with a spring 61 to normally separate the pin 59 from the projection 58, is pivotally connected to an operating handle 62 by means of a lever 63, the handle 62 and lever 63 being secured to opposite ends of a shaft 64 which extends through the slab or plate 45.

The latch block 39 is mounted in unstable equilibrium and the arrangement of parts is ,such that an upward movement of the rod 41, which is produced by a predetermined energization of the coil 12, causes a finger projection 65, with which lever 37 is provided, to strike the arm 54 and thereb rotate the block in a counter-clockwise irection until it is overbalanced and falls against the frame 27 of the device. If, under these conditions, the magnet is dener ed, the weights 51 and 52 will close the re ay switch and the downward movement of the rod 41 will cause the finger 65 to engage the arm55 and actuate the lock in a clockwise direction. This action,-however, is so timed that the projection 56 does not engage the notch 57. If the moaignet coil is then slightly energized, the r 41 will be raised until a stop nut 52: engages a pro'ection '66 on the weight 51 and will then 6 stopped because the pull exerted by the magnet will be insufficient to raise both weights 51 and 52.

The notch 57 is so located on the rod 41 as to be engaged by the edge of the projection 56, under then impossible for the relay switch to -be closed unless the block 39 is released by a suitable adjustment of the handle 62 which imparts such a downward movement to the rod 60 that the pin 59 engages the ofiset projection 58, or unless the magnet coil 34 is again energized above a predetermined amount. p

The dial 9 comprises a plurality of sta tionary contact ring segments 67 to 76','inclusive, which are engaged by a movable contact arm having two contact portions 78 and 79. This dial is arranged to adjust the circuit connections between the line conduc tors, the reactance 2 and the auto transformer 3, and is supplemented by the dial 10 by which voltage adjustment may .be effected in smaller steps. The dial 10 comprises contact ring segments 80 to 87, inclusive, which are bridged by a contact arm having contact portions 88 and 89. The rectifier, the dials, the relay and th auto transformer may constitute what is known as a battery-charging set for charging automobile batteries from lighting circuits which are supplied with alternatin current energy. When used for purposes 0 this kind, the dials 9 and 10 may be so adjusted as to produce a direct current voltage slightly higher than the maximum voltage of the storage battery which is to be per1- odically charged from it- The battery may then be connected to the direct current circuit of the rectifier and the relay switch released, as referred to above, the automatic features of the system being relied upon to maintain the charging current on the battery until the counter-electromotive force reaches a predetermined value. After the dials 9 and 10 are once adjusted for charging a given battery, they need not be disturbed unless it is desired to vary the degree to which the battery is charged. The reactance 2 is so designed and regulated as to'have a maximum effect in cutting down the direct ourrent voltage when the battery is discharged and a minimum effect when the battery is nearly charged. By this means, the voltage applied to .the battery is automatically regulated to give a rising voltage characteristic according to the best practice for battery charging.

The operation of the system is as follows: Assuming that the rectifying process is in operation, with the circuit connections as indicated in the diagram of F' 1, and that the storage battery is on y artially charged; under these conditions, if e rectifying process is interrupted, for. any reason,

such as the interruption of the alternating the aforesaid conditions, and it is its of the magnet 18, which will be followed by a tilting of the rectifier bulb. Themercury contained in the bulb completes acircuit connection between the terminals 14' and 27 of the rectifier and, by this means,

,the coil 22 will be short circuited, thereby choking down the magnetization across the air gap between the stationary and movable core members of the magnet and permitting the counter weight 26 to return the rectifier to its normal operating position. The short circuit referred to above will thus be interrupted and an electric are produced, so that the alternating current voltage applied to the rectifier terminals may start the rectifying process in a well known manner. The action of the'starting magnet will be repeated if the rectifier fails to start. As the battery is being charged, its counter-electromotive' force will gradually op ose-' the direct current voltage of the recti er more and more until the current traversing this circuit is so'reduced that the rectifying process is discontinued and the relay switch closed. The rectifier will then be tilted in an attempt to start the rectifying process. T iis action will usually cause the process to restart and continue for a short time at a low current value, but, as soon as the relatively weak direct current is applied to the coil 12, the relay switch will be opened and the projection 56 of the block 39 will come into engagement with the notch 57 in the rod 41, as above indicated. When the bulb goes out again, no further action of the rectifier can take place until the block 39 is'released by means of the handle 62.

It will, of course, be understood that structural modifications may be effected in the details of the relay and in the circuit connections of the system illustrated Without departing from the spirit of our invention, and We desire that only such limita-.

tions shall be imposed as are indicated in the appended claims.

We claim our invention: a

1. A relay switch comprising a stationary frame, stationa y and movable core members, an actuating coil for opening theswitch, a lever operatively connected to the switch, means for opposing the final action of the magnet winding to a greater degree than the initial action of the magnet winding, and means dependent upon a slight energization of the coil for locking the switch in an intermediate open position.

2. A relay switch comprising a stationary frame, stationary and movable core members, a coil, a lever operatively connected to the switch, a weight suspended from one end of the lever which tends to close the switch, a second weight adapted to be picked up by the lever at a predetermined point in the switch movement, and means for lockin the switch in an intermediate open position if the coil is only slightly energized.

3. A- relay switch comprising a stationary frame, stationary and movable core members, a coil, a lever operatively connected to the switch, weights suspended from one end of the lever, a projection on the stationary frame for supporting one of the weights under predetermined conditions and means for locking the lever to prevent subsequent closure of the switch when it is opened by a relatively small current applied to the magnet winding. .i'

4. A relay switch comprisin astationary frame, stationary and movable core members, and an opening magnet," mechanical means for holding the switch closed and means dependent upon a slight energization of the'coil for locking the switch in an intermediate open position.

5. A relay switch comprising a stationary frame, stationary and movable core memhere, an opening coil, a lever pivotally mounted on the stationary frame and operatively connected to the movable member of the switch, weights suspended from the lever and a pawl for locking the lever in an intermediate position whenthe magnet coil is energized to a slight degree.

6. A relay switch comprising a stationary frame, stationary and movable core members, an opening coil, a lever pivotally mounted on the stationary frame and operatively connected to the movable member of the switch,-weights suspended from the lever and a device for locking the lever inlan intermediate position when the magnet coil is energized to a slight degree, and manually operated means for releasing said device.

7. In a system of distribution, the combination with an alternating current supply circuit, a vapor rectifying device connected thereto and electro-responsive starting means therefor, of a relay switch interposed in the circuit of the starting means. and means for automatically closing"the relay switch upon the interrupt-ion of the rcctifying process except when thejnterruption is receded by a starting of the process under ow current conditions.

8; in a system of distriln ltiruij, the combination with! an alternating iur'rciib supply circuit, a smrageifliatteuv, a vapor rectifier 1ntcrposedetweeii said circuit and said battery and a starting device for the rectifier, of a relay switch interposed in the circuit of the starting magnet, mechanical mbans for closing theswitch, an electro-nmgnct which is dependent upon the continuance of current traversing the direct current circuit of the rectifier tor holding the relay switch open and a device "for lockingthe switch in an open position if the rectifying process is commenced at a low current value after being temporarily interrupted.

9. In a system of distribution, the combination with an alternating current supply circuit, a storage battery, a vapor rectifierinterposed between said circuit and said battery and a starting device for the rectifier, of a relay switch interposed in the circuit of the starting device having an opening magnet energized by the direct current circuit of the rectifier, and means for automatically closing the relay switch upon an interruption of the rectifying process cept when such interruption follows a starting of the rectifying process under a pre determined low value of current in the direct current circuit.

10. In a battery charging system, the combination with an alternating current supply circuit, a vapor rectifier having electro-responsive starting means and a storage battery, of a relay switch comprising mechanical means for closing-the switch, an electromagnet for opening the switch and a device for locking the switci in an open position, said magnet being energized from the charg circuit, a vapor rectifier and a storage battery, of a starting means-tor the rectifier and means dependent upon an interruption of the charging current for starting the rectifying process, and dependent upon the startir of ti. process under an abnormally weak argii current for preventing the restarting of L116 rectifying process.

12. A relay switch comprising a stationary frame, stationary and movable core memhere, an opening coil, a lever pivotally mounted on the stationar frame and operat'vely connected to the movable member of the switch, weights suspended from the lever and a latch for locking the movable contact member in an intermediate position when the energization of the magnet coil is within certain limits.

In testimony whereof, we have hereunto subscribed our names this 13thday of J anuary, 1909.

RAY P. JACKSON. HAROLD M. SCHEIBE. 

